Rehman takes two as New Zealand steer to 160
Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill added 83 runs for the second wicket stand against Pakistan, in order to put New Zealand in a comfortable position at tea, on the beginning day of the first Test match in Hamilton. However, Rehman’s double strike in the
post-lunch session gave Pakistan the upper hand and it left the Kiwis stumbling on 160 runs for the loss of 5 wickets.
On a flat wicket at Seddon Park, the home side did not start well, as they lost their first wicket on a grim score of 9 runs. The new ball did not swing in the air and moved off the seam significantly. The Kiwi top order found it a bit difficult in the first
hour of play due to a determined performance from the Pakistani fast bowlers.
Nevertheless, McCullum has enjoyed his role as a Test opener, since he has been elevated to the job. He punished the Pakistani bowlers with his scintillating stroke-play and racked up 56 runs off just 77 balls. The right-hand batsman played shots all around
the park and was severe on anything that was bowled short and wide around the off-stump. In his brilliant display, he struck seven boundaries and two towering sixes.
Martin Guptill provided his partner with a valuable support and played a sheet anchors role. In doing so, Guptill recorded 50 runs off 164 balls. The right hander was decisive in his shot-play, as he left every delivery that was pitched outside the line
of off-stump. In his measured innings, he hammered every loose delivery and smashed eight pleasing fours.
On the contrary, the home team lost a couple of wickets in the middle overs as the Pakistan bowlers finally felt rewarded for their persistent line and length. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 lost three wickets in space of just 43 runs.
Kane Williamson (12) and the debutant http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Reece-Young-c2302 (2) coasted their team to the tea break, avoiding any further damage.
Pakistan bowlers bowled brilliantly on a wicket that wasn’t offering much assistance to the bowlers. The visitors did not allow the opponents to score runs freely as they bowled consistently on the corridor of uncertainty with the new ball.
Abdur Rehman, the left-arm spinner was the pick of the bowlers for the touring side. Rehman bowled a gritty spell of left-arm orthodox bowling, picking up two crucial wickets in order to bring his team back into the game. In the process, Rehman got rid of
New Zealand’s best batsman Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915, with a brilliant piece of spin bowling.
Tanvir Ahmed provided http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 with their first breakthrough of the morning as he brought about the demise of Tim McIntosh with a probing delivery. It was a back of a length ball on off-stump and McIntosh, in trying to defend the ball, edged it straight
into the hands of Younis Khan, who took a neat catch at second slip.
Umar Gul scalped the wicket of McCullum, who had threatened to take the game away from Pakistan. Wahab Riaz's spell went wicketless, however, he did send Ryder back into the pavilion with a run-out.
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